PHOENIX (AP) The Arizona Diamondbacks will bring all six of their experienced
starting pitchers to spring training this week, with left-hander Brian Anderson
likely headed to the bullpen if he isn't traded.

When the Diamondbacks spent nearly $100 million to sign free agents Randy
Johnson, Todd Stottlemyre and Armando Reynoso, that left them with six starters
for a five-man rotation.

With Andy Benes and the newly re-signed Omar Daal joining the newcomers in
the rotation, Anderson is considered a top candidate to be traded, mainly
because he is young, a left-hander and one of the game's best control pitchers.

But the Diamondbacks say they are in no hurry to make a deal, and Anderson
could provide some much-needed help as a long reliever.

Manager Buck Showalter said one of his first orders of business when pitchers
and catchers start workouts Thursday at Tucson will be to sit down with Anderson
and make sure he understands what is expected.

"We realize that Brian has pitched well as a starter and as a reliever,"
Showalter said, "so it gives us the option to do both."

Anderson, one of the most popular players in the Diamondbacks' clubhouse,
was 12-13 last year with a 4.33 ERA. He led the National League in fewest
walks per nine innings at 1.04. However, he also was tied for the most home
runs allowed at 39.

General manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said there has been considerable interest
in making a trade for Anderson, but there is a good possibility any deal
wouldn't be made until late in spring training or after opening day.

The Diamondbacks would not have a problem keeping Anderson as a reliever
and spot starter, as well as for insurance should one of the other starters
falter or get hurt.

"We know how valuable he is. We know how valuable he would be to us," Garagiola
said. "We also know he could pitch out of our bullpen. For us to entertain
any discussions for him it's going to have to be for a player who really
makes us significantly better."

Showalter said he also plans a talk with Amaury Telemaco, who was part of
the rotation much of last season but is destined for relief duty this year.

Among those invited as non-roster players to spring training include the
three top young pitchers in Arizona's minor league system - Brad Penney,
John Patterson and Nick Bierbrodt.

"Before we go in the first day I'm going to tell them they're not going to
make this ball club, so get that out of your heads," Showalter said. "They're
here to watch Andy Benes, Randy Johnson, Todd Stottlemyre and Armando Reynoso,
to see the way professional pitchers in the major leagues carry themselves."

Penney, Patterson and Bierbrodt will start the season at Arizona's new Double-A
farm club in El Paso, Showalter said.

The rest of the players don't report to spring training until next week.

The Diamondbacks were close to a deal that would send outfielder Bernard
Gilkey and another player to Pittsburgh for Al Martin and Tony Womack. The
deal was contingent upon the Pirates signing former Twins infielder Pat Meares
to play shortstop.

"I've had conversations with the Pirates, and we're continuing to talk,"
Garagiola said Tuesday.

Mike Benjamin, signed earlier by the Pirates to fill in at shortstop until
prospect Abraham Nunez is ready, or rookie Warren Morris would replace Womack
at second.

The two Pirates would give the Diamondbacks some much-needed speed on the
bases.

Womack, 30, a second baseman who likely would play right field for the
Diamondbacks, has led the NL in stolen bases the last two seasons. Martin
had 20 steals last season and 38 in 1996, but is coming off a career-low
.239 season.

Martin is penciled in as the Pirates' fourth outfielder, despite his team-leading
$2.8 million salary. Martin, who has pushed for a trade since the Pirates
dealt for outfielders Brant Brown and Brian Giles, would likely fill the
same role in Arizona.

Other than the signing of Meares, there were two other sticking points holding
up the trade. The two teams had yet to agree on what player would be sent
to the Pirates with Gilkey. And the Diamondbacks had yet to agree on how
large a portion of Gilkey's contract they were willing to pay.

The Arizona Republic reported that the other player would either be a reserve
outfielder - David Dellucci, Yamil Benitez or Dante Powell - or relief prospects
Ben Ford, Nelson Figueroa or Russell Jacob.

(Thank goodness Brian WASN'T traded before or during the 1999 season,
and helped lead the Diamondbacks to the National League West
Championship!)